Chesterfield County supervisors voted to use eminent domain to get the land for the first phase of the Powhite Parkway extension, after talks with three property owners failed. For buyers, the practical answer is that the road is moving from planning to construction, and the first phase is slated to run from the current end of the parkway to Woolridge Road. Richmond BizSense reported the vote in its local government briefs of 2 November 2026.
What the board approved
According to BizSense, the Board of Supervisors approved condemnation of right-of-way and easements the week before that report. The owners named were developer Doug Sowers, the Watermill Homeowners Association and NLP Swift Creek LLC. The county will buy the properties, and BizSense says the budget already holds enough money to cover condemnation costs.
Eminent domain is a legal process. Ask a Virginia real estate attorney how it could affect a specific parcel. This is general information, not legal advice.
The road in numbers
The figures below come from BizSense (2 November 2026), WWBT 12 On Your Side (15 September 2026) and the Commonwealth Transportation Board resolution of 6 January 2026.
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full extension | About 9 miles to Hull Street Road, $565 million | BizSense, 2 Nov 2026 |
| Phase one cost | $245 million, described as fully funded | WWBT, 15 Sep 2026 |
| Phase one end point | Woolridge Road | BizSense, 2 Nov 2026 |
| Phase one completion target | 2029 | WWBT, 15 Sep 2026 |
| Construction start target | End of 2026 or early 2027 | WWBT, 15 Sep 2026 |
| Phase two route | Woolridge Road to Hull Street Road, funding not yet secured | WWBT, 15 Sep 2026 |
| Courthouse Road toll | 75 cents, expected to end in January | WWBT, 15 Sep 2026 |
The state board approved the location of the later section on 6 January 2026. The Commonwealth Transportation Board resolution covers a four-lane road from Woolridge Road to Hull Street Road, and it sets conditions to avoid adverse effects to a historic school building on Genito Road and to stay within a mitigation bank easement.
What it means if you are shopping in the area
Nothing in these reports says what any home will be worth. What they do say is that a large road project is scheduled, partly funded and about three years of construction, per WWBT. If you are looking in Chesterfield or elsewhere in Chesterfield County, check three things before you write an offer:
- Where the home sits relative to the planned route. Chesterfield’s county news page on the project describes the phases.
- Whether the lot or any neighboring land is named in county right-of-way records.
- Your monthly cost, using our mortgage calculator, and a rate quote from one of our preferred lenders.
Get a saved search for homes near the Powhite corridor
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Builders and new homes nearby
If you want a new build in the county, our new construction page lists what is on the market. We help buyers work with builders and with their sales teams. Roads under construction can change commute times for a few years, so test your drive at your real commute hour.
More county coverage is on our Richmond area news page, and all communities are listed there.
Our closing offer
Want to follow this corridor without checking listing sites every day? Ask for a saved search for Chesterfield County at missionrealty.com/properties, or start with our buyer process page.
Frequently asked questions
What is phase one of the Powhite Parkway extension?
Per the Chesterfield County news page on the project, phase one runs from the current end of Powhite Parkway at Route 288 to Woolridge Road. The part from Woolridge Road to Route 360 was covered by an environmental study the county was developing with VDOT.
When could the first phase open?
WWBT 12 On Your Side reported on 15 September 2026 that completion is scheduled for 2029, with construction expected to last about three years. Schedules can change.
What happens to the Courthouse Road toll?
WWBT reported on 15 September 2026 that the 75-cent toll is expected to end in January. It quoted Supervisor Kevin Carroll saying officials found a way to do this without extending the toll or issuing more debt.
Is the whole road funded?
No. WWBT reported more than half of the $565 million total is secured, and funding for phase two is not yet in place.
Who owned the land the county is condemning?
BizSense named developer Doug Sowers, the Watermill Homeowners Association and NLP Swift Creek LLC. Talks with them had failed before the vote.
Where can I see the state approval for the later section?
The Commonwealth Transportation Board resolution dated 6 January 2026 is posted on ctb.virginia.gov and approves the Alternative 1A location.
Does the road change what I will pay in property tax?
None of the sources read for this post say so. Ask the Chesterfield County assessor or your lender about a specific home.
How do I check whether a house is near the planned route?
Compare the address with the project information on the Chesterfield County website, then send us the address and we will look at it with you.
